Brewer's: Beadsman

or Bedesman. An inhabitant of an almshouse; so called because in Catholic times most charities of this class were instituted that the inmates might “pray for the soul of the founder.” (See Bead.)

“Seated with some grey beadsman.”

Crabbe: Borough.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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